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Question DetailsAsked on 7/13/2016

When our home inspector climbed up the panel to the attic, he saw all other units of the condo building attic through a doorway space. From the security purpose, we would like to block access from other units. Will this possible without the HOA help? Thanks.

1 Answer

They are likely to demand a copy of the key to any door you put in, for fire andf building maintenance access. Generally, there should (by fire code) be a firewall between units - so it may be this is a common-area condo issue that the condo association should be fixing for all units. Otherwise, an attic fire-rated (commonly but not always 1 hour rating) door could be put in the doorway. Fire doors cannot generally be cut to size as it generally destroys their fire rating, so might have to be a custom sized door to fit.

Other alternative is to put in a heavy-duty plywood access panel with appropriate (commonly 5/8") drywall covering on your side, heavy-duty hinged to open up (more break-in resistant) or down appropriately and fitted with a hasp or shot-bolt or two on your side to prevent access from the attic. Or heavy duty plywood (preferably 3/4") with 4 shot bolts around the perimeter going into wood framing that can still be lifted out as normal when the shot bolts are retracted. Handyman should be able to do this sort of thing.